Which statement best describes photosynthesis?

Which statement best describes photosynthesis?

• A. It requires oxygen to produce glucose
• B. It occurs in the mitochondria
• C. It uses chemical energy to make glucose
• D. It uses sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen

Answer: (D)

Photosynthesis turns light energy into chemical energy stored in sugar. Plants use sunlight captured by chlorophyll in chloroplasts to power the process that combines carbon dioxide and water into glucose, with oxygen released as a byproduct. This description—sunlight driving the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen—fits what actually happens in photosynthesis. Oxygen isn’t required to make glucose, and the reaction doesn’t take place in mitochondria (that’s where cellular respiration occurs). Also, the energy comes from light, not from already existing chemical energy driving the reaction.

Photosynthesis turns light energy into chemical energy stored in sugar. Plants use sunlight captured by chlorophyll in chloroplasts to power the process that combines carbon dioxide and water into glucose, with oxygen released as a byproduct. This description—sunlight driving the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen—fits what actually happens in photosynthesis. Oxygen isn’t required to make glucose, and the reaction doesn’t take place in mitochondria (that’s where cellular respiration occurs). Also, the energy comes from light, not from already existing chemical energy driving the reaction.